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Miss Illinois visits Elmwood Park for Children’s Miracle Network
Megan Ervin, Miss Illinois 2012, has her photo taken with Mia Nadello while visiting Baciami Restaurant in Elmwood Park as a benefit for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Friday, Nov. 2. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: December 9, 2012 6:15AM
ELMWOOD PARK — Food wasn’t the only thing on the menu at Baciami Restaurant Friday night, but also an opportunity to rub elbows with Miss Illinois.
Megan Ervin, Miss Illinois 2012, was at the restaurant to draw attention to a cause that comes with wearing the crown, raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network. As part of being Miss Illinois, Ervin works as the organization’s goodwill ambassador and must raise at least $10,000.
K.L. Daly is the president of the Illinois Scholarship Association, the state pageant organization for the Miss America Pageant. Daly said since being crowned in June, Ervin has raised $8,000 toward her goal.
“My goal is $10,000, but I hope to get up to $15,000 by the time I get to the Miss America competition,” Ervin said.
That’s where Baciami Restaurant comes in.
A portion of the proceeds from the Nov. 2 event will go toward her cause. Rich Mazzulla, owner of Baciami Restaurant, said it was his pleasure to be involved.
“I was asked if I would host Miss Illinois at my restaurant and I said of course,” he said. “It’s for a good cause and I’m willing to help.”
“People will come and have dinner,” Daly said leading up to the event. “It’s an opportunity to take photographs and receive autographs from her. She is also highlighting the new hospital (Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago) and promoting volunteerism.”
Ervin said she was excited about coming to Elmwood Park.
“Anything we can do to raise money for CMN is very positive,” she said. “I’m excited about what I can accumulate there.”
She also enjoys good food. “I love Italian food like Chicken Marsalla and ravioli,” she said.
Ervin, 23, made first runner-up in the 2011 Miss Illinois Pageant. She is from Rushville, Ill. and graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in exercise science. In January, she will go to Las Vegas to compete in the 2013 Miss America Competition.
